Position Sense, Balance, and Dual Task Performance at the Menstrual Cycle in Females With Multiple Sclerosis

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hormonal changes on knee position sense, balance and dual task performance throughout the menstrual cycle in females with MS. 14 females with MS and 13 healthy females with matching ages and genders were included the study. A neurologic examination was performed using the EDSS by a neurologist. Position sense was measured with Acumar dual digital inclinometer (Acu360, Acumar, Lafayette, USA). Balance was measured with Biodex Balance System (Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY, USA). Dual task performance was evaluated with Time Up and Go test.

Inclusion Criteria: * Inclusion criteria of the MS group were as follows: patients with a confirmed diagnosis of clinically definite MS, physician-administered Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) range of 1-3.5, and having regular menstrual cycle (between 21-35 days). * Inclusion criteria of the control group were having regular menstrual cycle, and not having neurological problem, any lower extremity orthopedic problems and no use of any contraceptive agents Exclusion Criteria: * The exclusion criteria were: patients with acute attacks (three months prior to the study), a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of less than 25 points, take oral contraceptive agents, and a history of orthopedic lower extremity problems or other neurological disorders.